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PARISHPARISH MAGAZINEMAGAZINE AUGUSTAUGUST // SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER 20202020 -- DOUBLEDOUBLE ISSUEISSUE --line Free on Edition Serving the communities of: Christleton, Cotton Abbotts, Cotton Edmunds, Littleton and Rowton. IN THIS DOUBLE ‘SUMMER INTO AUTUMN’ ISSUE: DOGS and GOD: The Rector writes below about his dog and how she speaks of God. Personal reflections from Gill. Page: 4 Ian and Claire Gray. Page: 6 If you like a quiz, go to page: 9 More financial news from Liz. Page: 10 David Cummings History article focusses on Dorothy Colley McNair, and his Nature piece describes local wildlife seen recently. Page: 13 DOGS AND GOD: involved than will likely come as no surprise, when we decided though perhaps where I end up A few months ago we got a dog. to try for a baby. might be unexpected. Jessie the Labrador. Alas, the deed is I’m struck by Jessie’s unconditional done. And we love. It doesn't matter if you have It’s taken us many years to take have a dog. left the room for 5 minutes or for the plunge. My wife and I both an hour. Jesse's joy upon seeing remarked, with amusement or For those of you who have had or you again, revealed in the extreme bemusement, on how the decision have dogs, or indeed – I’m sure – other pets, what I am about to say to get a dog has been far more (Continued on page 3) To support St James’ Church, go to the website: https://www.stjameschristleton.org.uk - 1 - and click on the (blue) ‘Make an Online Donation’ button. PARISH CONTACTS: MAGAZINE: RECTOR: EDITOR: Rev'd Dr Stefan Collier Tel: 01244 335663 The editor is: Brian Inall [email protected] Tel: 01244 336500 [email protected] (The Rector’s day off is normally Saturday) The next issue is October. Deadline for that issue ASSISTANT CURATE: will be: Friday 18th Sept 2020. Rob Croft Tel: 01244 683926 / 07745 624323 [email protected] COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING: OTHER CLERGY IN THE PARISH: John Eccles Rev'd Gill Hibbert Tel: 01244 336544 Tel: 01244 336355 [email protected] [email protected] (Note: another new email address for Gill.) DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Joce Platel Rev'd Elizabeth Inall Tel: 01244 336500 Tel: 01244 332466 [email protected] [email protected] CHURCHWARDENS: The Magazine subscription is normally £6 per year Bettie Gilliatt Tel: 01244 335645 and running from April to March, but during this Tina Lightfoot Tel: 07557 352592 Covid-19 crisis magazines will be free via the for either warden: church website and will not be printed or [email protected] delivered to homes. Any subscriptions paid will be carried forward until normality is restored. PARISH SAFEGUARDING OFFICER: Ann White Tel: 07762 774975 Please tell others how to find the on-line [email protected] magazine. Do print it out yourself if that is helpful. ORGANIST/MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Thank you for reading our magazine. We hope you (Vacant) enjoy it. Feedback is always welcome so please let PCC SECRETARY: the editor know what you think about the Janet Milton Tel: 01244 325529 magazine. Contributions are welcome and more [email protected] details about this are available from the editor. PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: (incl. Weekly Notices) The church website not only carries the current Marj Keech Tel: 07487 642912 issue but also back copies of this magazine and [email protected] much more information and news about what is happening at St James’ Church in these strange PARISH HALL BOOKINGS: and uncertain times. Maria Norbury Tel: 01244 335499 [email protected] ST JAMES' CHURCH WEBSITE: Also: enquiries & bookings online via website. https://www.stjameschristleton.org.uk WEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND BAPTISMS: Website maintained by Jonathan Gilliatt Via website, or the Administrator or the Rector. [email protected] VERGER: ST JAMES ON TWITTER: John Milton Tel: 01244 325529 @StJChristleton BELLRINGING: CHRISTLETON VILLAGE WEBSITE: Nikki Dromgoole Tel: 07947 372721 www.christleton.org.uk - 2 - helicopter motion of her tail, is Universe needs me, you – us. God constant. has, in a sense, limited himself in gifting us his unconditional love, I’m struck by how Jessie, when off and chosen us to be instruments the lead, goes ahead of you only of peace. Or in the words of one to return constantly, and draw great Anglican theologian and you forward with her – her pack. spiritual writer, W. H. Vanstone, You are hers, and she is yours. “God waits upon the response of his creation”. I’m struck by the responsibility Williams is leaving us as Musical Jessie demands of us – her A few months ago we got a dog. Director. We said a formal dependence, on us. To feed, ‘Goodbye’ at the 10am service on water, and keep her safe from, We expected it would be 19th July. She’s going on to higher e.g., consuming the tacking pin. demanding, while enriching. It studies in Medical Sciences so we was and is. are extremely pleased for her and I’m struck too by how Jessie wish her every success in her new speaks to me of God. We were not expecting Jessie the studies. dog would reveal to us something of God. The intensity of his love During this pandemic we have not for us. God’s desire to daily been able to sing, whether with adventure with us. His desire to or without a choir, and as Hannah bring peace through us. has been furloughed we’ve not heard her on the organ or Jessie reminds me ‘a dog is for keyboard either. life, not just for Christmas’. Jessie also reminds me ‘God is for life, With her resignation she comes not just for Christmas’. off the furlough scheme so it is possible that she will volunteer to With love and prayers this play for us from time to time if summer, she’s around. That will be good! [Jessie] Stefan Hannah has worked wonders at ______________________ getting our music at St James How her love, mimics that of going again, great organ playing God’s love for us. It’s relentless. MUSICAL DIRECTOR: and redeveloping the choir and It’s without strings or conditions. the music group. Who can forget How staggering is it to It is with great sadness that we the Barn Dance at the end of contemplate the joy God has learned recently that Hannah February which was so much fun when we turn to face him after 5 minutes, an hour, or a decade. How her companionship on each daily adventure mimics that of God’s companionship on each daily adventure. We are God’s, and God is ours. How her need for us mimics God’s need for us. How staggering this is to fathom. The God of the Sunday 19th July - saying ‘Thank You’ to Hannah in church. - 3 - and our last social event before like all of us tidy my files, read BELL MAINTENANCE 2020 the lockdown? So, thank you books that I purchased long ago The Bells at St james have been Hannah. but best of all time to sit before silent since March 23rd when the the Lord and walk with him, with Covid- 19 lockdown began. The So, once again, we will have to go no time pressure a deeper only activity in the tower, during looking for folk with musical communication. I have found the this time was a weekly visit by the abilities. We pray that God will Daily Radio really meaningful. Tower Captain, to wind the provide. And preparing the thoughts for church clock and check for birds the day the Hospice requested in the belfry! On the 4th July, Who out there can play the the heart of my week for the Lord when Church services resumed, organ? has used this as a channel to my three of the eight bells were rung work mates as they respond to by ringers from the same family the message by email. who are in, what we now call, a social bubble. This was repeated Yes I feel different and older. I the following week, but our was ordained in the Cathedral at wonderful bells are now silent for Chester in July 2009 and soon will a little while longer. return to my Chaplaincy at the Hospice, but there are many It was 1927 when the last major changes ahead. The door of the work was carried out on the bells church has closed on me before and the bell frame, with some over the years yet the Lord finds a bells being recast from the (Editor) way round which takes me on a originals, dating circa 1750’s and new route but walking the way the wooden frame being replaced ______________________ he provides by a cast iron one. Fast forward 93yrs and another major overhaul Have you ever wondered what A PERSONAL REFLECTION: is taking place. Taylors Bell Adam and Eve talked to God Foundry are carrying out the about when they walked with him Since the end of overhaul. Two of their Bell in the cool of the evening before March my daily Hangers started dismantling work, there was any need for life like many of on 13th July. Each morning I have intercession or spiritual warfare? I you suddenly been taking a photographic presume that they merely said changed I record for future generations, thank you and wow a lot. One returned home (hopefully generations of keen day we will be with the Lord for from the and skilled ringers!) ever. But what will we talk to him Hospice where I about? Will we have learned to work as Chaplain, hardly allowed I have had an association with the enjoy his presence, hallowing his to clear my desk and was forced Christleton Bells now (on and off) name without asking for anything into isolation.